Jeremiah 50:43

The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.

The king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} hath heard {H8085} the report {H8088} of them, and his hands {H3027} waxed feeble {H7503}: anguish {H6869} took hold {H2388} of him, and pangs {H2427} as of a woman in travail {H3205}.

The king of Bavel has heard news of them; his hands droop, helpless. Anguish seizes hold of him and pain, like a woman in labor.

The king of Babylon has heard the report, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.

The king of Babylon hath heard the tidings of them, and his hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.

Commentary on Jeremiah 50:43 (KJV)

Context

Jeremiah 50:43 is a powerful verse found within a lengthy prophetic oracle (chapters 50-51) directed against Babylon. This prophecy foretells the complete and utter destruction of Babylon, the dominant world power of Jeremiah's time, which God had used as an instrument to punish Judah. The verse specifically details the psychological impact of this impending doom on the king of Babylon himself. It describes the moment he receives intelligence or a "report" of the approaching forces—likely the Medes and Persians—and the paralyzing fear and weakness that grip him and his leadership, signifying the end of their formidable reign.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse vividly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, even the most powerful. It shows that no earthly kingdom, regardless of its might or perceived invincibility, can withstand God's ultimate judgment when its time has come.
  • Reversal of Fortune: The mighty king of Babylon, who once held nations in terror, is depicted as utterly helpless and terrified. This dramatic reversal underscores the biblical principle that the proud will be humbled and the arrogant brought low.
  • Paralyzing Fear: The imagery of "hands waxed feeble" and "anguish took hold of him" conveys a profound sense of terror and powerlessness. It suggests that the king and his forces would be so overwhelmed by fear that they would lose the ability to act or defend themselves effectively.
  • Certainty of Prophecy: The detailed and visceral description of the king's reaction emphasizes the undeniable certainty of the prophecy's fulfillment. God's word, spoken through Jeremiah, would come to pass precisely as declared.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his hands waxed feeble" translates the Hebrew word `raphah` (רָפָה), which means to slacken, become weak, or lose courage. It paints a picture of a leader whose will and ability to command or fight have evaporated under immense pressure. The term "anguish" (Hebrew `tsarah`, צָרָה) denotes deep distress, trouble, or affliction, highlighting the internal torment of the king.

The most striking metaphor is "pangs as of a woman in travail." This powerful imagery (Hebrew `chabal`, חָבַל) is a common biblical idiom used in prophetic literature (e.g., Isaiah 13:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:3) to describe inescapable, intense, and sudden distress or judgment. It conveys the idea of an overwhelming, unavoidable, and excruciating experience that leaves one utterly incapacitated and without hope of escape.

Practical Application and Reflection

Jeremiah 50:43 serves as a profound reminder that all earthly power is temporary and subject to the sovereign will of God. It teaches us that human arrogance and defiance against divine principles will ultimately lead to a reckoning. For us today, this verse encourages humility and a recognition of God's ultimate authority over all things. It also offers hope to those who feel oppressed, reminding them that God sees injustice and will, in His time, bring about justice and deliverance, just as He did for His people against Babylon. Ultimately, it underscores the truth that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 51:31

    One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at [one] end,

  • Jeremiah 49:24

    Damascus is waxed feeble, [and] turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on [her]: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.

  • Jeremiah 49:22

    Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.

  • Isaiah 13:6

    ¶ Howl ye; for the day of the LORD [is] at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

  • Isaiah 13:8

    And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces [shall be as] flames.

  • Daniel 5:5

    In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

  • Daniel 5:6

    Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

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